Giant Schnauzer

also known as Munich Schnauzer, Russian Bear Schnauzer, Riesenschnauzer, Munchener

Pros Summary


The Giant Schnauzer is a large, herding dog breed that originated in Germany. The breed was developed as a working dog, primarily as a cattle driver and guard dog. The breed's name "Giant Schnauzer" comes from its size and origin as a Schnauzer breed. The breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1930.

Breed Information


Type

Is Giant Schnauzer a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Giant Schnauzers originally used for?

cattle herding, guarding

Lifespan

How Long Do Giant Schnauzers Live? What is average life expectancy for a Giant Schnauzer? How long can Giant Schnauzers live?

10-12 years

The average Giant Schnauzer lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Giant Schnauzer Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Giant Schnauzer?

What is the average height of a Giant Schnauzer? How big is a Purebred Giant Schnauzer height? Giant Schnauzer dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 26-28 inches (66 - 71.1 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm) 25.0 inches (63.5 cm) 27.0 inches (68.6 cm)
Female 24-26 inches (61 - 66 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 23.0 inches (58.4 cm) 25.0 inches (63.5 cm)
What is the average weight of a Giant Schnauzer? How much should Giant Schnauzers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 60-110 pounds (27 - 50 kg) 47.5 pounds (22 kg) 57.5 pounds (26 kg) 85.0 pounds (39 kg)
Female 55-75 pounds (25 - 34 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg) 52.5 pounds (24 kg) 65.0 pounds (29 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Giant Schnauzers get fat easily?

The Giant Schnauzer is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Giant Schnauzers Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Giant Schnauzers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is a Giant Schnauzer personality? What are Giant Schnauzer dogs best known for?

Dominant
Kind
Powerful
Intelligent
Loyal
Strong
Willed

Shedding Level

Are Giant Schnauzers heavy shedders? How Much Does a Giant Schnauzer Shed?

Giant Schnauzer will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Giant Schnauzer dog?

The Giant Schnauzer dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Giant Schnauzers come from?

Germany

Ancestry

What are Giant Schnauzers descended from?

great dane, bouvier des flandres

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Giant Schnauzer breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Giant Schnauzers first bred? How old is the Giant Schnauzer breed?

middle ages

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Giant Schnauzer?

Working (AKC:1930)
Companion Breeds (UKC)

Giant Schnauzer Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Giant Schnauzer eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Giant Schnauzer nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Giant Schnauzer coat be naturally?

Pied
Silver
Gray
Black

Coat Length

How long is a Giant Schnauzers coat?

The coat of a Giant Schnauzer is longer than that of the typical dog.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Giant Schnauzer Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Giant Schnauzer?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Giant Schnauzer have in a litter? How many puppies can a Giant Schnauzer have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

A Giant Schnauzer can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Giant Schnauzer dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Giant Schnauzer Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Giant Schnauzers have a lot of health problems?

The Giant Schnauzer breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Giant Schnauzer?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia
Cobalamin Malabsorption

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Giant Schnauzers?

Chronic Anemia
Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Giant Schnauzer breed?

Eye
Hip
Blood
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Giant Schnauzer Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Giant Schnauzers have a lot of energy?

Giant Schnauzers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Giant Schnauzers need socialization? How social are Giant Schnauzers?

Giant Schnauzers have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Giant Schnauzers get?

The Giant Schnauzer needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Giant Schnauzer have? Do Giant Schnauzers sleep a lot?

Giant Schnauzers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Giant Schnauzer drool a lot?

The Giant Schnauzer is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Giant Schnauzers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Giant Schnauzers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Giant Schnauzers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Giant Schnauzer running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Giant Schnauzer dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Giant Schnauzers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Giant Schnauzer busy?

Walking, Cuddling, Smelling, Walks, Jumping, Running, Go to Park, Walk, Run, Chase, Dog Parks, Eating Snacks, Sniff, Training, Hiking, Swimming, Fetch, Tug-of-war

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Giant Schnauzer? How much energy does a Giant Schnauzer have?

High

Giant Schnauzers are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Giant Schnauzer walk each week? How many miles should a Giant Schnauzer walk every week?

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Giant Schnauzer, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Giant Schnauzer should exercise a day? How much activity does a Giant Schnauzer need?

90 minutes

In general most Giant Schnauzers usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Giant Schnauzer?

The Giant Schnauzer is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Giant Schnauzer?

Weekly

Giant Schnauzer should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Giant Schnauzers?

Pin Brush
Dematter
Clipper
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Giant Schnauzer eat?

3 cups

For an average 60-110 pound (27 - 50 kg) Giant Schnauzer feed 3 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Giant Schnauzer Cost Daily?

$2.80 - $3.20 / day

The average cost of a Giant Schnauzer is somewhere $2.80 - $3.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Giant Schnauzer Cost Per Month?

$84 - $95 / month

The average per month expenses of a Giant Schnauzer is between $84 - $95. This makes an average of $1008 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Giant Schnauzer Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Giant Schnauzer?

The Giant Schnauzer breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Giant Schnauzer dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Giant Schnauzer dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Giant Schnauzer do well in apartments? Are Giant Schnauzers good indoor dogs?

The Giant Schnauzer is not an apartment-friendly dog breed. This dog breed is best in a home with a large, fenced-in yard. They are not suited for apartment life and can become destructive due to pent up energy from being in a small space.

Child Friendly

Are Giant Schnauzers good with kids? Are Giant Schnauzers good around children?

Giant Schnauzers are not the most kid-friendly dogs. If you have children, you might want to reconsider adopting another dog as a companion.

Senior-friendly

Are Giant Schnauzers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Giant Schnauzers good with cats? How friendly Giant Schnauzers are toward cats?

Giant Schnauzers are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Giant Schnauzers can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Giant Schnauzer dogs get along with other dogs? Are Giant Schnauzers OK with other dogs?

Giant Schnauzers are not dog friendly dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Giant Schnauzer dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Giant Schnauzers friendly with strangers?

Giant Schnauzers are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Giant Schnauzers are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Giant Schnauzers will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Giant Schnauzers like to play? Are Giant Schnauzers playful?

Giant Schnauzers are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Giant Schnauzer for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Giant Schnauzer easily trained?

Giant Schnauzer dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Lack of odor
    The Giant Schnauzer has little chance of emitting a bad smell.
  • Intelligent
    Giant Schnauzers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train and excel in obedience and agility training.
  • Hypoallergenic
    With their low tendency to cause allergic reactions, Giant Schnauzers are a great choice for those who suffers from allergies.
  • Protective
    Giant Schnauzers are protective of their family and make great guard dogs.

Cons

  • Not cat-friendly
    Cats and Giant Schnauzers are not a good mix.
  • High energy
    Giant Schnauzers are high energy dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Without enough exercise, they can become bored and destructive.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Giant Schnauzers are not suited to the office environment
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    The Giant Schnauzer breed may not be ideal for apartment dwellers.
  • Prone to certain health issues
    Giant Schnauzers are prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and bloat.
  • Grooming needs
    Giant Schnauzers require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition. Their coats need to be trimmed every few months.